CrowdStrike Implements Live "Fix" For Global IT Outage

Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike is urgently addressing a “defect” in a software update for Microsoft Windows users that has caused a significant global IT outage. CEO George Kurtz clarified that this was due to a software bug, not a security breach.

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In a statement on social media platform X, Kurtz confirmed that Mac and Linux users were unaffected. He emphasised, “The issue has been identified, isolated, and a fix has been deployed.” He directed customers to the support portal for continuous updates and recommended using official channels for communication with CrowdStrike representatives.

During an NBC interview, Kurtz expressed deep regret for the disruption, confirming that a bug in a software update caused the outage due to a negative interaction with Microsoft’s operating system, resulting in widespread computer crashes.

Global IT Outage Sparks Major Disruptions

Whitehall crisis officials have activated the Cobra system to coordinate the response. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh reported major disruptions in trains and flights, with systems offline and devices displaying the “blue screen of death.” GP surgeries and community pharmacies in England faced significant service disruptions, but NHS England confirmed that 999 emergency services were unaffected.

Microsoft advised users of virtual machines to reboot their devices multiple times to resolve the issue. In the UK, Sky News went off-air, and disruptions hit banks, supermarkets, and other major institutions, impacting digital payments globally. Ryanair and other airlines also experienced significant delays.